Network-wide cap recommended following Inquiry

After two years of campaigning, WSROC and its member councils have successfully pushed for a more transparent and equitable road network for Western Sydney residents.

Following a formal Parliamentary Inquiry, the NSW Government released its report into road tolling on 20th October, 2017.

Recommendations from the report include:

That the NSW Government investigate the costs and benefits of a capped toll across all of Sydney’s road network, and publish this information so that the community can have an informed debate.

That the consumer price index be considered as the default position of the road toll escalation rate.

That the NSW Government establish an independent entity to assess whether proposed tolling agreements are in the public interest.

That the NSW Government publish a contract summary of the WestConnex – M4 Widening Project Deeds on the WestConnex website.

That the NSW Government publish the expected internal rate of return for future individual privately operated tolled roads, at suitable intervals.

That the Sydney Motorway Corporation and any future infrastructure delivery entity is subject to the same level of transparency and accountability as other public sector agencies.

That the NSW Government publish evidence supporting its decision to toll heavy vehicles three times that of light vehicles.

That future tolling agreements enhance the ability of future governments to manage the wider road network.

WSROC President Cr Stephen Bali said “We are extremely pleased with the recommendations provided in this report. They are in line with those put forward by the WSROC Board of Directors, and reiterated by WSROC, Blacktown and Penrith City Councils at the Parliamentary Inquiry in April 2017.

“Our primary goal has been to ensure that Western Sydney residents aren’t disadvantaged because they do not have access to viable public transport options.

“We also want to ensure that toll charges across our region are comparable – which currently they are not,” he said.

“Our next job is to ensure these recommendations are adopted and that the Government begins working towards a transparent, informed discussion around the way our transport is funded.

WSROC first called for an inquiry into road tolls in late 2015, the Parliamentary Inquiry was referred in December 2016.